drawntoscales's Journal

01:50pm-02:40pm
On my own

Walked north through the woods to the north pond, with many mosquitoes flying in for a quick meal. The pond level is still low and is growing quite a bit of algae. On a log at the west edge of the pond were four red-eared sliders basking. One was melanistic and one was a juvenile. Oddly, I did not see cricket frogs, although on a hot sunny day I would have expected them on the muddy banks. Dragonflies of several species were active, along with some honeybees and wasps at the water's edge.

It was mostly clear, hot, and it felt humid. However the online nearby Weather Underground reports 94*F and only 38% humidity.

I took a few photos, documenting a few plants for the bioblitz. I looked for Texas spiny lizards on tree trunks and listened for any disturbance in the leaf litter, but did not observe any other herps.

I walked the preserve from 3:30-5:50pm, with Lynn Healy, Jim Frisinger, and Annabelle Corboy. It was clear to partly cloudy and very warm, with temperatures probably in the mid-90s. Weather Underground said the relative humidity was only 38% but it felt more muggy.

We started on the trail north through the woodlands to the pond at the northwest corner. I took a photo of silver leaf nightshade at the trailhead, as I really love their beautiful flowers. I tried to photograph a lot of species for the bioblitz, though sometimes if someone else got it, I let it go. Someone found a Texas spiny lizard that disappeared around a tree trunk, but with a little sneaking I was able to get a photo.

At the pond, no turtles were basking and when one would come up for air, the algae and scum kept me from identifying it. I did "capture" a blue dasher, widow skimmer, and common whitetail among the dragonflies and also found a cricket frog.

We walked west along the restoration area, finding partridge pea, western ragweed, bitterweed, prickly pear, Texas bull nettle, Glen Rose yucca, and many other things. The work of Jim's group cutting back honey locust and getting rid of chinaberry is a noticeable improvement. We followed the trail along past the yucca meadow, to the ridge, and down the hillside.

I enjoyed walking with these folks and contributing to the bioblitz, though it did remind me how different it is to stay on the move, actively searching and building numbers of observations. I often tend to walk and then stop, noticing the overall impression of a landscape or a community. Sometimes I am busier with active searching for herps but there's always a temptation to stop and be still. All these ways of being in nature have their value.